More than 100 law enforcement agencies across Missouri, including 10 locally, will receive a share of over $700,000 in grant money from the state’s Department of Public Safety to purchase new gear.
The grants were announced Thursday by Gov. Mike Parson.
“Each time they put on their badge, Missouri law enforcement officers take on tremendous risks without second guessing the potential impact on themselves,” Parson said in a news release. “They do a job most people don’t want to do, and they must have the proper equipment to protect themselves and our fellow citizens.”
The grants will “increase the ability of our Missouri police officers and sheriff’s deputies to do their jobs more safely. The money will fund over 140 ballistic vests, over 300 first aid and trauma kits, over 60 police radios and other important equipment. In an era of tight budgets, these funds make a difference,” added Department of Public Safety Director Sandy Karsten.
The money comes from federal Local Law Enforcement Block Grant funds, administered by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance.
Locally, grant funds will be awarded to the following agencies:
Bernie Police Department, $2,447 for protective clothing and light bar;
Clarkton Police Department, $1,046 for medical kits, light bar, flashlights and other items;
Dexter Police Department, $975 for medical kits;
Dunklin County Sheriff’s Department, $6,669 for radios, siren boxes, light bars and handcuffs;
Holcomb Police Department, $4,768 for a ballistic vest, radio, siren box, light bar, flashlight and other items;
Malden Police Department, $9,600 for radios;
Ripley County Sheriff’s Department, $3,655 for ballistic vests;
Stoddard County Sheriff’s Department, $6,400 for radios;
Van Buren Police Department, $7,988 for ballistic vests, medical kits, helmet, flashlights, body camera, handcuffs and other items;
Wayne County Sheriff’s Department, $9,800 for radios.
“A lot of stuff we wouldn’t be able to afford without these grants,” said Bernie Police Chief Justin Allen, who noted past disbursements helped purchase a new patrol car, radios, siren boxes and other safety equipment.
Malden Police Chief Jarrett Bullock said the additional money is especially helpful to his small department.
“That’s almost $10,000 I can move somewhere else (in the budget). Small budgets in small towns get cuts, and this gives us the opportunity to go out and get equipment to keep our officers safe,” Bullock said.
Even the smallest item purchased with the grant money, Bullock noted, is greatly needed and appreciated.
“It’s just the little things that most people don’t think about that keep officers safe,” he said.
With the grant money, Bullock said, his department will be able to have five updated radio systems in patrol cars, which will be compliant with the digital MOSWIN network.
Ripley County Sheriff Mike Barton agreed about the benefits of the grant, saying his department has received it for the last several years.
“It’s definitely a big help for smaller budget departments and is very helpful for us,” said Barton, who plans on purchasing “Point Blank Active Shooter” vests, designed to be worn over the uniform shirt and which feature thicker protective plates to stop rifle bullets.